The department de Ancash starts on a
slightly hilly coastal strip and climbs up to the highest snow-capped
mountains in Peru.

Spread out along the Callejon de Huaylas, a dazzling valley stuck
between two mountain ranges, the Blanca and Negra Cordilleras, you will
find Fotosque and pleasant cities like Recuay, Carhuas, Yungay, and
Caras, while the urban and commercial center de the area is the capital
of Ancash, the energetic city de Huaras. It was between the years 1200
b.C. and 200 b.C. that the Chavin lived in the region, the same that
left as their legacy the impressive archeological complex de Chavin de
Huantar, which, in 1985, UNESCO placed on the World Cultural Heritage
List.

Throughout the entire department, you can see the most spectacular snow
covered mountains, among them Mount Huascaran (6,768 ma.s.l.), the
tallest peak in Peru. In addition, there are hot springs and spectacular
lakes as those de Llanganuco; in all, it is an area perfect for
adventure sports like white water rafting, mountain climbing, mountain
biking, and trekking.

The Huascaran National Park, placed on the World Natural Heritage List
by UNESCO, guards wildlife species in its beautiful surroundings like
condors, vicuñas, deer, pumas, Andean foxes, and viscachas.